Senior Grant Writer
ABOUT COLOR OF CHANGE
Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We develop strategies to put an end to policies and practices holding Black people back, while championing the solutions that move all people forward. As a national force driven by over one million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more humane and less hostile world for Black people in America. In 2005, Color Of Change was founded in response to the realization that during the Hurricane Katrina crisis, no one was afraid to disappoint Black people. There were no consequences for Black people being left stranded on their roofs to die, nor was there sufficient infrastructure among Black communities to aggregate our power and demand them for those that perpetuated or refused to acknowledge the tragic injustice. Color Of Change impacts lives by introducing accountability into the systems of decision-making. We leverage emerging technologies and our media savvy and sharp focus to build the power it takes to move decision makers in corporations, media and government to drive meaningful change for Black people in service of ending injustice for all oppressed groups.
TEAM SUMMARY
The Development Team of Color Of Change (COC) ensures there are sufficient resources for COC to remain a powerful influencer across broad segments of the progressive movement. We are creative and passionate professionals committed to excellence in the pursuit of Color Of Change’s mission. We are committed to racial equity in America and building an effective, unapologetic and unrelenting opposition – built to win media wars and win back hearts and minds; block destructive policies from taking effect; mobilize missions of people to define the majority; and ultimately govern the country. We do this through driving COC’s resource development strategy and infrastructure, to advance the Color Of Change mission.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Color Of Change seeks a Senior Grant Writer (Senior Writer) that will integrate his/her deep understanding of social and racial equity concepts, policies, activities in America to create compelling solutions and narratives on how institutions and foundations can partner with Color Of Change to advance its mission. Through leveraging data insights from our studies and campaigns the Senior Writer will chiefly be responsible for identifying potential fits between grantor funding priorities and COC’s mission, writing and editing letters of intent, grant applications and proposals, and preparing timely reports to funding sources on grants received. The Senior Writer will report to the Deputy Director of Development and manage a team of two (2) Associate Grant Writers to accomplish his/ her fundraising objective(s).
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Leads all research activities for potential grant opportunities that align with COC’s mission by performing prospect research on foundations and informing all relevant internal stakeholders of grant opportunities and eligibility requirements regularly. Ensures that standard elements such as qualifications statements, staff biographies, support letters and required funder forms are accurate and readily available.
Develops case statements and narratives to identify strategic areas for program growth that describe COC’s campaigns in a way that will inspire funding interest that fuels our media, criminal& economic justice and power & voice work. Responsible for identification, research, and strategic outreach for new and existing institutional and foundation partners.
Submits proposals, applications, letters of interest, and concept papers by synthesizing campaign and organizational needs and goals into provoking proposals. This also may involve developing and executing work plans and timelines, meeting facilitation, quality assurance, internal communications with internal/ external partners and funders, and final submission.
Facilitates grantor understanding of Color Of Change by organizing interactions with the appropriate COC staff, board members and donors. This may include sharing information about COC with grantors, arranging and conducting video/conference calls, and site visits.
Assists COC Leadership Team by supporting the design of annual and long-range institutional revenue strategic planning and keeping them informed of appropriate timing for building and enhancing their relationships with funders, especially with preparing status reports on grants.
Guides the writing team by editing and providing feedback and support on all proposals and report drafts. Additionally, in collaboration with the Database and Grants Manager, the Senior Writer will ensure that the writing team centrally maintains all records related to the team’s activities.
Any other duties as assigned to help advance COC’s fundraising strategy and organizational infrastructure.
We’re Looking For Someone Who Is:
- Creative: You can conceptualize and describe funding needs in a way that is compelling to prospects, donors, board members and other stakeholders. You have a knack for designing logic models and conveying information and research that is compelling, clear, and analytic in style.
- An Organizational Maven: You can manage across multiple work streams and functions, keeping deadlines and managing complexity by simplifying solutions, systems and processes with clarity and attention to detail. You have an ability to efficiently meet deadlines.
- Adaptable and Flexible: You can handle any curveball, and in fact, you expect them. You can meet deadlines and manage competing priorities. Additionally, you are strategic and have the ability to pivot quickly as priorities shift and the team continues to take shape. You can and are willing to travel if needed.
- A Self Starter: You have the ability to initiate, organize and manage projects, and to interface successfully with colleagues in a collaborative approach.
- Collaborative: You see yourself as central to cultivating productive relationships with contacts across the social and racial justice space including agencies, movement builders, advocacy organizations, and academia.
What You Will Need:
- Professional Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of professional/ progressive work experience in proposal or program development, with at least two (2) years managing a team or leading multifunctional project teams.
- Fluency and Experience Generating Funding For Racial and Social Equity Movements: You have a deep understanding of the racial and social equity ecosystem as well as the concepts and agents that are funding and pushing the work forward. Your analytical prowess allows you to draw insights from outcomes data to crafting LOIs, concept papers, proposals and stewardship materials for progressive social justice institutions that have secured significant, multi-year gifts.
- Mission Alignment: You have enthusiasm, familiarity and demonstrated alignment with Color Of Change’s mission and campaigns and also a commitment to building/deepening your commitment to racial justice. You are steadfast in your support of COC’s long-term sustainability and are committed to a career with impact.
COMPENSATION
The salary for the Senior Grant Writer is commensurate with experience. Color Of Change offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including generous vacation and holiday schedules and medical, dental and disability insurances.
Color Of Change is an equal opportunity employer. Color Of Change prohibits unlawful discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, national origin, genetic characteristics, disability, status as a special disabled veteran or veteran, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual identity or any other basis prohibited by law.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until January 15th. Interested applicants should click the “Apply for this position” link and submit a resume and cover letter.
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
Individual Donor Manager
ABOUT COLOR OF CHANGE
Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We develop strategies to put an end to policies and practices holding Black people back, while championing the solutions that move all people forward. As a national force driven by over one million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more humane and less hostile world for Black people in America. In 2005, Color Of Change was founded in response to the realization that during the Hurricane Katrina crisis, no one was afraid to disappoint Black people. There were no consequences for Black people being left stranded on their roofs to die, nor was there sufficient infrastructure among Black communities to aggregate our power and demand them for those that perpetuated or refused to acknowledge the tragic injustice. Color of Change is impacting lives by introducing accountability into the systems of decision-making. We leverage emerging technologies and our media savvy and sharp focus to build the power it takes to move decision makers in corporations, media and government to drive meaningful change for Black people in service of ending injustice for all oppressed groups.
TEAM SUMMARY
The Development Team of Color of Change (COC) ensures there are sufficient resources for COC to remain a powerful influencer across broad segments of the progressive movement. We are creative and passionate professionals committed to excellence in the pursuit of Color of Change’s mission. We are committed to racial equity in America and building an effective, unapologetic and unrelenting opposition– built to win media wars and win back hearts and minds; block destructive policies from taking effect; mobilize missions of people to define the majority; and ultimately govern the country. We do this through driving CoC’s resource development strategy and infrastructure, to advance the Color of Change mission.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Color of Change seeks an Individual Donor Manager (IDM) to serve as a key member of a development team that is expanding relationships with individuals and foundations. The Reporting to the Deputy Director of Development, the IDM will lead Color of Change’s fundraising plans for sustaining and growing relationships with donors, particularly among the major donor qualified portfolio. In addition to a focus on securing major gifts, the IDM will explore planning giving opportunities and solicit special campaign gifts. The IDM will manage an Event Coordinator who will be responsible for creating moments for high quality donor cultivation and stewardship and ensuring high-quality and consistent engagement occurs for CoC’s individual donors.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Donor Relations:
- Develop and implement strategies for solicitation that will grow annual revenue from individuals that can provide major gifts to Color of Change. This may include the use of sophisticated prospect research techniques and the creation of tailored proposals and/ or individual stewardship plans.
- Develop a recruitment and retention plan for individual donors to further cultivate relationships and annual revenue.
- Plan and coordinate an active schedule of individual donor solicitations and campaigns that reach new audiences and increase both donors and dollars raised annually throughout the year with a view of retaining donors and increasing giving year over year.
- Communicate effectively with donors through face-to-face solicitation and stewardship meetings, as well as written and e-communication strategies.
- Provide support to senior and campaign staff in preparation for solicitation or stewardship opportunities, including providing reminders, materials, and draft communications, as well as assisting with briefings, appointment scheduling and call reports.
- In partnership with Marketing & Storytelling team, develop and implement a communications plan to keep in regular contact with donors on COC campaigns and issue areas they are most passionate about as well as key organizational developments.
Donor Engagement & Event Coordination:
- Lead the conceptualization and implementation of small to modest size fundraising and cultivation events such as salons or briefings, and activities that may require time before and after business hours –ensuring they operate smoothly, efficiently, and generate maximum revenue and exposure
- Manage consultant and vendor agreements, production schedules and logistics prior to and during events to ensure flawless efficiency and revenue/expense optimization.
- In partnership with Marketing & Storytelling team, ideate and develop event creative briefs and communications plans that will guide production of all event related branding and promotion assets (invitation, event sites, in-room decorations, sponsorship solicitation materials, talking points, in-room call to action, etc.)
- In partnership with Deputy Director of Development, develop event budgets and oversee financial reporting/ reconciliation.
Planning and Reporting:
- Establish and meet annual goals including, dollars raised, renewal percentages, and donor pipeline development for individual donor portfolio.
- Work in partnership with the Deputy Director of Development to:
- Reconcile contributions from individual donors and update projections; and
- Develop budgets and monitor expenses related to the individual giving program.
- In collaboration with Database and Grants Manager:
- Lead technological upgrades to drive our prospect research and donor cultivation and stewardship efforts.
- Perform comprehensive ongoing data analysis and evaluation related to all aspects of the annual giving program; and
- Ensure individual giving fundraising activity and interactions are accurately and regularly stored in donor databases and information systems and acknowledgement letters are generated in a timely matter.
Lead special projects as needed.
We’re Looking For Someone Who Is:
- A Relationship Builder. You are genuinely curious about new people and possess strong listening skills. You like learning what motivates people, what inspires their generosity, and makes them feel appreciated. You have the ability to initiate, organize and manage projects, and to interface successfully with colleagues in a collaborative approach.
- Persistent and Optimistic. You are intrinsically motivated and undaunted by ambitious goals. You have the creativity and tenacity to find your way around a “no” answer to a more productive “not right now,” “maybe,” or best yet, “yes.”
- Exceptional in Communicating Verbally and in Writing– Demonstrated ability to write and edit persuasive materials including successful appeals, proposals, stewardship materials and other collateral. You have excellent presentation and negotiation skills.
- Intentional– Your working style is about creating order and planning ahead. You are a strategic thinker who always has their end goal in sight – asking for and closing gifts. You are skilled at keeping yourself on track with a portfolio of donors and are highly organized.
- An Organizational Maven– You can manage across multiple work streams and functions, keeping deadlines and managing complexity by simplifying solutions, systems and processes with clarity and attention to detail. You have an ability to efficiently initiate and complete multiple tasks on time.
- Adaptable and Flexible– You can handle any curveball, and in face, you expect them. You can meet deadlines and manage competing priorities. Additionally, you are strategic and have the ability to pivot quickly as priorities shift and the team continues to take shape. You can and are willing to travel if needed.
What You Will Need:
- Professional Experience: You have 3-5 years of professional experience, with a proven track record in initiating, stewarding and moving individual gifts to higher levels of support. You have deep knowledge of the major giving and the types of prospects that suit it. Experience soliciting planned gifts preferred.
- The Ability to Execute on Fundraising Plans and Strategies That Generate Significant Results. You regularly use data to drive decision-making and reflect on your rigorous and donor centered plans for sustaining and growing your donor base and revenue. You have strong prospect research skills and a solid understanding of moves management.
- Mission Alignment: You have enthusiasm, familiarity and demonstrated alignment with Color of Change’s mission and campaigns and also a commitment to building/ deepening your commitment to racial justice. You are steadfast in your support of COC’s long-term sustainability and are committed to a career with impact.
COMPENSATION
The salary for the Individual Donor Manager is commensurate with experience. Color of Change offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including generous vacation and holiday schedules and medical, dental and disability insurances.
Color Of Change is an equal opportunity employer. Color Of Change prohibits unlawful discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, national origin, genetic characteristics, disability, status as a special disabled veteran or veteran, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual identity or any other basis prohibited by law.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until January 15th. Interested applicants should click the “Apply for this position” link and submit a resume and cover letter.
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
Database & Grants Manager
ABOUT COLOR OF CHANGE
Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We develop strategies to put an end to policies and practices holding Black people back, while championing the solutions that move all people forward. As a national force driven by over one million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more humane and less hostile world for Black people in America. In 2005, Color Of Change was founded in response to the realization that during the Hurricane Katrina crisis, no one was afraid to disappoint Black people. There were no consequences for Black people being left stranded on their roofs to die, nor was there sufficient infrastructure among Black communities to aggregate our power and demand them for those that perpetuated or refused to acknowledge the tragic injustice. Color Of Change impacts lives by introducing accountability into the systems of decision-making. We leverage emerging technologies and our media savvy and sharp focus to build the power it takes to move decision makers in corporations, media and government to drive meaningful change for Black people in service of ending injustice for all oppressed groups.
TEAM SUMMARY
The Development Team of Color Of Change (COC) ensures there are sufficient resources for COC to remain a powerful influencer across broad segments of the progressive movement. We are creative and passionate professionals committed to excellence in the pursuit of Color of Change’s mission. We are committed to racial equity in America and building an effective, unapologetic and unrelenting opposition– built to win media wars and win back hearts and minds; block destructive policies from taking effect; mobilize missions of people to define the majority; and ultimately govern the country. We do this through driving COC’s resource development strategy and infrastructure, to advance the Color Of Change mission.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Color Of Change seeks a Database and Grants Manager to drive the implementation of systems and structures across the Development team. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Development, the Database and Grants Manager will guide the fundraising team’s use of our donor database and information systems, ensuring a streamlined process in support of all development efforts.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Grants and Donor Data Administration: Serve as a cohesive force to identify, implement and maintain inter- and intra-departmental systems that support a compliant, highly efficient and rapid response-focused Development department.
- Oversee development donor data integrity and reports on donor data to preserve organizational knowledge and facilitate collaboration
- Ensure all gifts are properly and timely acknowledged and activity reports and analysis for Senior Leadership and board are prepared regularly.
- Manage development acknowledgement systems with the goal of increasing the level of service to Color Of Change’s individual donors.
- Monitor and maintain a comprehensive organization-wide calendar that includes all proposal deadlines, grant/contract-funded project start dates, end dates, reporting dates, and renewal dates, as well as other important dates related to proposal submission and renewal funding,
- Ensure that all internal stakeholder groups are aware of deadlines and information required for donor/ funding proposals and reports.
- Support stewardship and recognition, including development donor listings and levels
Analysis and Reporting: Preparation of data analysis and generation of reports/inquiries from internal and external audiences.
- Produce internal data summaries, reports, coding verifications, grant statistics, geographic reports and custom analysis as needed for various internal and external stakeholders.
- In partnership with Deputy Director of Development and the COC Finance team, produce periodic reports in compliance to IRS (and/or other regulatory agencies) and Foundation/funder requirements for gifts.
- In conjunction with Deputy Director of Development, design, administer, and maintain dashboards, forms, templates, reports, and data structure.
- Write and execute database queries to meet fundraising analysis needs
- Compile and distribute reports on the status of pledges and payments; assist with follow-up on late payments and requests for information.
Systems & Training: Transform and oversee the continual improvement of operational systems, processes and policies to ensure accurate and efficient collection and reporting of donor/funding data
- Provide recommendations for data and grants management processes and technology that improve efficiency, transparency, compliance, and stakeholder experience while increasing mastery of legacy systems and organizational databases (ActionKit & Salesforce).
- Oversee systems that manage portfolios and pipelines and actively collaborate with frontline fundraisers to ensure accuracy
Other: Participate in events and provide leadership on special projects and tasks for the Development team and in collaboration with other internal CC teams as needed.
We’re Looking For Someone Who Is:
- Intentional– Your work style is about creating order and planning ahead. You think systematically and excel at establishing elegant and useful processes. You can give and receive feedback, seeing it as an opportunity to grow personally and professionally.
- An Organizational Maven– You can manage across multiple work streams, keeping deadlines, working in cross functional teams, and managing complexity by simplifying solutions, systems and processes with clarity and attention to detail.
- Empathetic– You enjoy helping others and love being part of a team and are skilled in communicating effectively as well as leading, influencing, and collaborating with colleagues in a multi-racial, multi-generational work environment.
- Passionate About Learning– The role requires you to stay on top of the latest trends, systems, process and technology that drive efficiency and outcomes. You need to be someone who is always looking to hone your craft.
- Adaptable and Flexible– You can handle any curveball, and in fact, you expect them. You’re strategic yet have the ability to pivot quickly as priorities shift and the team continues to take shape. You can and are willing to travel if needed.
- A Self Starter– You have the ability to initiate, organize and manage projects, and to interface successfully with colleagues in a collaborative approach.
What You Will Need:
- Professional Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of professional/ progressive work experience in data management and analysis, with at least 12 months in non-profit grants and data management. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
- Database Systems Management Knowledge: Solid understanding of best practices in organizing donor and funder data within leading information systems. Must have experience with large-scale data imports and exports and constituent relationship management software (including query writing). Data visualization software experience preferred.
- Mission Alignment: You have enthusiasm, familiarity and demonstrated alignment with Color Of Change’s mission and campaigns and also a commitment to building/ deepening your commitment to racial justice. You are steadfast in your support of COC’s long-term sustainability and are committed to a career with impact.
COMPENSATION
The salary for the Database and Grants Manager is commensurate with experience. Color Of Change offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including generous vacation and holiday schedules and medical, dental and disability insurances.
Color Of Change is an equal opportunity employer. Color Of Change prohibits unlawful discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, national origin, genetic characteristics, disability, status as a special disabled veteran or veteran, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual identity or any other basis prohibited by law.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until January 15th. Interested applicants should click the “Apply for this position” link and submit a resume and cover letter.
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
